Name your price.
Train, flight, coach or ferry. Tell us the route and the most you’ll pay, and we email you when the fare drops to it.
Free. One email when the fare is right. One click to stop.
Popular routes, and the trick for each
| Route | Go by | Pay less |
|---|---|---|
| London → Edinburgh | Train, flight, coach | Book the train 12 weeks out |
| London → Manchester | Train, coach | Split the ticket at Crewe or Stoke |
| London → Glasgow | Train, flight, coach | Flying often wins with hand luggage only |
| Birmingham → London | Train, coach | Take the slower train |
| Manchester → Lisbon | Flight | Search the whole month |
| London → Barcelona | Flight | Search all London airports |
| Dover → Calais | Ferry | Sail early, late or midweek |
| Belfast → Liverpool | Ferry, flight | The night ferry saves a hotel |
Four ways to get there
UK train fares vary more than almost anything else you buy. The same seat can cost five times as much depending on when you book and which ticket you choose.
- Book Advance tickets early. They usually go on sale around 12 weeks before travel, and the cheapest ones sell out first.
- Travel off-peak. Off-peak returns often cost little more than a single.
- Get a railcard. Most save a third on fares, so one usually pays for itself within a couple of trips.
Flight prices change daily. Set the most you’ll pay and we’ll check your route every day, so you don’t have to.
- Search whole months. Moving your trip by a day or two often saves the most.
- Search all airports. Cities such as London have several, and the cheapest fare is rarely from the same one twice.
- Price in the extras. Bags, seats and airport transfers can turn the cheapest fare into the most expensive trip.
Coaches are often the cheapest way between UK cities, sometimes by a long way, and they run through the night when trains don’t.
- Book early. The cheapest seats on each coach go first.
- Travel overnight. Overnight coaches save a night’s accommodation on long routes.
- Compare operators. On busy routes more than one company runs coaches, and prices differ.
Ferry fares depend heavily on the day, the time and what you bring. A small change of sailing can save a lot.
- Sail at quiet times. Early morning, late evening and midweek sailings are usually cheapest.
- Avoid school holidays. They cost most; book well ahead if you must travel then.
- Compare routes as well as operators. A longer crossing can still be cheaper overall.
How it works
It takes about a minute, and you only do it once per trip.
Pick your route
Train, flight, coach or ferry, and where you’re going.
Name your price
The most you’re happy to pay. Confirm your email and you’re set.
Book when it drops
We email you once, with a link to the fare. No daily noise.
The rest of the trip
Airport parking
Pre-book and pay less than at the gate.
Car hire
Compare suppliers at your destination.
Travel eSIM
Mobile data from the moment you land.
Guides and fare news
Train, coach or plane: London to EdinburghThree ways to get from London to Edinburgh, compared on time, comfort and how to get the lowest fare.9 November 2026
Split ticketing explainedBuying two or more tickets for one journey can be cheaper than a single through ticket, on exactly the same train.9 November 2026
Does a railcard pay for itself?Most railcards save a third on fares. Here’s how to tell whether one will save you money this year.9 November 2026Questions
Is SetMyFare free?
Yes. You never pay us anything.
How do you make money?
Some booking sites pay us a commission when you book through our links. It doesn’t change the price you pay.
Which fares do you check?
Flight alerts check live prices every day. For trains, coaches and ferries we point you to the cheapest places to book while we add live prices for those too.
How many emails will I get?
One to confirm your address, then one when a fare is at or under your price. That alert is then finished, and you can set another.
How do I stop alerts?
Every email has an unsubscribe link. One click and they stop.
SetMyFare earns a commission when you book through some of our links. It never changes the price you pay, and it never changes which fare we show as cheapest. How we make money.